Countdown to the Indian Grand Prix

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

PHOTO: AP

1 of 12

Formula One is all about speed and technology -- whether it be the cars, the drivers or the entire paraphernalia that accompanies the races across the world. India Today Online takes a look at the frenetic activity on and off the track on the eve of the Indian Grand Prix.Here, the car of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is reflected in the goggles of his mechanic as he drives into the pit lane during the third practice session at the Indian Grand Prix on Saturday.

2 of 12

Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull is the combination to beat this season, as it has been for the past two seasons. German driver Vettel gestures after winning the Indian GP qualifying session in Greater Noida on Saturday.

3 of 12

It wasn't exactly a great day out for the lesser teams. Caterham driver Heikki Kovalainen of Finland spun off the track during qualifying and had to get his car towed away. Here, he sits on a barrier waiting for help to arrive at the BIC.

4 of 12

After leading the table through the season, Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain is now pushed to second spot. As he waits in his team garage during the third practice session, he must be wondering what he can do to regain the top spot.

5 of 12

Alonso's Ferrari team mate Felipe Massa of Brazil has been far more unlucky, troubled by mechanical problems to his car all through the season. Here, he steers his car out of his pit lane garage as he follows Caterham driver Heikki Kovalainen of Finland during the third practice session on Saturday.

6 of 12

His poor form means Ferrari driver Felipe Massa needs all the help he can get from the team to be back among the top. The Brazilian is being pushed into the Ferrari pit garage during the qualifying session at Greater Noida on Saturday.

7 of 12

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is all but out of contention for the title. The Briton drives into pit lane during the practice session for the Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida.

8 of 12

The lone Indian driver on the Formula One grid, Narain Karthikeyan hasn't had a great outing so far. The Hispania Racing Team driver leaves the drivers' meeting ahead of the Indian Grand Prix, his home race.

9 of 12

Seven-times world champion, racing legend Michael Schumacher of Germany doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. The Mercedes driver leads Force India driver Paul di Resta during the qualifying session and seems to show he can still outpace a lot of the younger drivers on the grid.

10 of 12

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel (right) is congratulated by Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico after winning the qualifying session for the Formula One Indian Grand Prix.

11 of 12

Formula One may be an international event but in India, it can't escape the local flavour. A group of Indian dancers perform in the F1 paddock prior to the start of the third practice session for the Indian Grand Prix at the BIC on Saturday.

12 of 12

His absence from the country has been a matter of widespread speculation but Force India team principal and businessman Vijay Mallya put all rumours to rest by turning up to cheer his team at the Indian Grand Prix. Mallya waves as he walks down the F1 paddock after the third practice session on Saturday.

<P>Formula One is all about speed and technology -- whether it be the cars, the drivers or the entire paraphernalia that accompanies the races across the world. India Today Online takes a look at the frenetic activity on and off the track on the eve of the Indian Grand Prix.Here, the car of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is reflected in the goggles of his mechanic as he drives into the pit lane during the third practice session at the Indian Grand Prix on Saturday.</P>

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull is the combination to beat this season, as it has been for the past two seasons. German driver Vettel gestures after winning the Indian GP qualifying session in Greater Noida on Saturday.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

It wasn't exactly a great day out for the lesser teams. Caterham driver Heikki Kovalainen of Finland spun off the track during qualifying and had to get his car towed away. Here, he sits on a barrier waiting for help to arrive at the BIC.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

After leading the table through the season, Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain is now pushed to second spot. As he waits in his team garage during the third practice session, he must be wondering what he can do to regain the top spot.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

Alonso's Ferrari team mate Felipe Massa of Brazil has been far more unlucky, troubled by mechanical problems to his car all through the season. Here, he steers his car out of his pit lane garage as he follows Caterham driver Heikki Kovalainen of Finland during the third practice session on Saturday.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

His poor form means Ferrari driver Felipe Massa needs all the help he can get from the team to be back among the top. The Brazilian is being pushed into the Ferrari pit garage during the qualifying session at Greater Noida on Saturday.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is all but out of contention for the title. The Briton drives into pit lane during the practice session for the Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

The lone Indian driver on the Formula One grid, Narain Karthikeyan hasn't had a great outing so far. The Hispania Racing Team driver leaves the drivers' meeting ahead of the Indian Grand Prix, his home race.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

Seven-times world champion, racing legend Michael Schumacher of Germany doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. The Mercedes driver leads Force India driver Paul di Resta during the qualifying session and seems to show he can still outpace a lot of the younger drivers on the grid.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel (right) is congratulated by Sauber driver Sergio Perez of Mexico after winning the qualifying session for the Formula One Indian Grand Prix.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

Formula One may be an international event but in India, it can't escape the local flavour. A group of Indian dancers perform in the F1 paddock prior to the start of the third practice session for the Indian Grand Prix at the BIC on Saturday.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Image:

Credit/Source:

AP

Caption:

His absence from the country has been a matter of widespread speculation but Force India team principal and businessman Vijay Mallya put all rumours to rest by turning up to cheer his team at the Indian Grand Prix. Mallya waves as he walks down the F1 paddock after the third practice session on Saturday.

Syndication:

Thumb Image:

Enable:

Enable

Source id:

8053

Source type:

migrated

Related Content:

IT_368478|~|IT_368470|~|IT_368520|~|IT_119749|~|IT_119470

Content Publish date:

Saturday, October 27, 2012 - 19:35

Related Content Detail:

IT_368478@photogallery@Formula One: Female executive returns home for Indian Grand Prix|~|IT_368470@photogallery@Contenders to the 2012 Formula One title|~|IT_368520@photogallery@Va vra vroom...Get ready as the Indian GP practice begins|~|IT_119749@Story@A galaxy of stars turn up for the official launch of Formula One book|~|IT_119470@Story@Formula One: Meet Sahara Force India